What Happened.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

there were sparrows
they hovered upon the mansanita that i planted
they did not stay there for long
they left
even before the dew on the morning grass has dried

that was what happened
and what stayed was only the white rose in my garden
but sometimes i think
if it has also a pair of strong wings
and a close ally of the winds
in the same manner
it would have left me for good

things are not as smooth as you see it
things like these happen
learning always from departures
but just the same
still finding love where tracks still remain

i gaze upon the little pond inside my heart
there are no more ripples
the leaves that fall there recently
are sleeping.